Local Information for Belle Isle Castle

Marble Arch Caves are some of Europe’s finest show caves allowing visitors to explore underground waterfalls, caves, rivers and lofty chambers. They are located at Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh, situated in a National Nature Reserve.

Situated near to the caves is Florence Court which is an amazing example of mid-18th Century Irish Palladian architecture. The house contains fine Irish furniture including an 18th Century rococo armchair in the library, an Irish writing cabinet which dates from 1730 and an unusual 18th Century bed. Florence Court's most notable tree, the Irish Yew, grows in a much wilder part of the estate. This is the aged mother of all the Irish Yews. The original was one of two found in the Fermanagh hills in the 1740s. Florence Court is open from April through to September.

Castle Coole was designed by James Wyatt for the first Earl of Belmore. The surrounding wooded landscape sloping down to Lough Coole is ideal for long walks. Highlights of Castle Coole include the state rooms with their sumptuous Regency furnishings. These include the State bedroom said to have been prepared for a visit by George IV in 1821.

The town of Enniskillen is situated eight miles from Belle Isle and is located exactly in the centre of the county on the natural island which separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. A feature of Enniskillen is the number of small bars and hostelries which have appeared on the Main Street, providing welcome relief from the shops! Enniskillen’s new shopping centre is a recent retail development which takes some of the shopping slightly out of town. Further down the Lough is the Ardhowen Theatre which boasts a full and varied programme of entertainment.